RESIDENTS COMMITTEE

 The Residents’ Committee is a channel, assisting management, to facilitate the smooth running of the village, promptly dealing with any problems that may arise promptly. 

The Residents’ Committee, is the umbrella of the sub-committees and is made up of

·       the President and the Executive Vice President.

·       Vice President Works and Vice President Finance.

·       two Secretaries (Forum & Committee).

·       the Treasurer.

·       Two ordinary Committee members.

 The immediate Past President may attend the meeting for three months and the Returning Officer attends upon invitation.  All positions are up for election each March.

 The Committee always bears in mind that the Residents’ Forum is the final authority.

The Committee is there to do things with the residents benefit being of utmost importance.

 The Residents’ Committee meets, usually on the Monday before Forum, from 9am until about 11.30am, receives reports from each sub-committee, discusses any problems arising therefrom and recommends the approval of spending of village residents. 

These funds are monies raised by raffles, bus outings, entertainment etc. and are not to be confused with our levies held by management. 

 The Committee can, however, approve expenditure on minor items that are a charge against our Levy Account.  If it were proposed to expend large amounts this would need Forum’s approval. 

 The Committee discusses what will happen at Forum and deals with minor matters to ensure that Forum will not be too longwinded. 

A resident might come up with a good idea and wish to put it before the Committee and they will be able to briefly attend the meeting and put their case.

 Conveners report what their particular sub-committee is doing and discuss any problems arising.  The Committee also receives letters from residents, who are voicing concerns, and responds to these.

Minutes are taken at the Committee meeting and copies distributed during the next week to all members.  An abbreviated Sub-Committee report is issued to the Sub-Committee Conveners to inform them of their section of the meeting.

 It is imperative that a resident act as Secretary to this Committee, for there are confidential matters to which the operator is not privy.

 The Alloura Waters Resident Committee has a constitution which sets out the functions and responsibilities of The Committee and All Sub-Committees.

 Anyone who is a member of the NSW Retirement Village Residents Association (RVRA) knows that villages where there is no Residents’ Committee are depending upon management for the organisation of activities. 

There is no-one looking out for residents’ interests.

 If your village is in NSW, it is a good idea to purchase a copy of the Retirement Villages Act and Regulations.  It is available from the Government Bookshop in Chifley Square, Sydney and on the web.

 The Department of Fair Trading has a booklet “Retirement Village Living” which gives an overview of the Act. 

 Under the Act there are matters which, when being voted upon, require “general consent” (50% of those present at Forum including proxies) and “special resolution” (75%) and it is necessary for the Committee to be conversant with these matters